Cotton chopper



J. CALLAWAY COTTON CHOPPER Filed March 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JgL a Patented Get. 5, 192%. barren srarss PATENT orr'ics.

.rosnrn 'CALLAWAY, or BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI.

COTTON CHOPPER.

Application filed March 16, 1926; Serial 1No.'95,101.

tatably supported by the side members 2 of the frame F. Fixed to the extremities of the shaft or axle 1 are the ground engaging Wheels '3 of desired diameter,

The shaft 1 at a point between the side This invention relates to certain improvements in cotton choppers and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind comprising a scraping blade supported for swinging movement in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the machine together with means for normally imparting such transverse movement to the blade at intervals during the travel of the machine.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a machineof this kind of a walking type and wherein means-is provided to as sure effective coaction with the operator. is The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and ar-' rangement of the several parts of my improved cotton chopper whereby certain important advantagesare attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. a

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

in order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in top plan illustrating a machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through the device as herein disclosed with certain of the parts in elevation;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the device as herein set forth;

Figure e is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section illustrating a means for imparting transverse swinging movement to a scraping blade Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Fi ure 6 is a view partly in section-and partly in top plan of one of the operating members herein disclosed for a scraping blade;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but illustrating said operating member in a second position.

As disclosed ings, F denotes an a gear tmeshing with a smaller gear 5 fixed to the transversely disposed shaft 6 positioned in advance of the axle or shaft 1 and rotatably supported by the side members 2 of the frame. Also fixed to this shaft 6 is largergear 7 meshing with a smaller gear 8 fixed to the shaft 9 extending transversely of the frame F at a desired. point in advance of the shaft 6 and rotatably supported by the side members 2 of the frame. The gears i, 5, 7 and 8 are of such ratio as the requirements of practice may prefer.

T he shaft 9 extends beyond each side of the frame F andfixed to each of said extended portions is a drum 10 provided in its periphery with a circumferentially disposed groove 11 having a portion 12 laterally oifset to provide the'spaced cam groove portions 1 1.

Extending outwardly from each of the side members f the frame F is a loop bracket 15. This bracket 15 is substantially radial to the adjacent drum 10 and pivotally connected, as at 16, to the end members 15 of the bracket v15 are the vertically disposed side members 17 of a substantially square frame 18. The top member 18 of the frame 18 at substantially its axial center is provided with an inwardly disposed pin or finger 19 which extends within a groove 11 in the adjacent drum 10 so that as the drum 10 is rotated the cam portions 14 of said groove will cause the frame 18 at predeter mined intervals during'the travel of the machine'to have swinging movement in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the machine. v

Depending from and extending inwardly from each ofthe frames 18 are the downportions of said arms being provided with a depending shank 21 to the lower or free end portion of which is secured a scraping blade B. This blade B is preferably disposed at an angle of about fifteen degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the frame F or to the path of travel of the machine. As is particularly illustrated in Figure 5, it is to be noted that the two blades are oppositely disposed and converg in the accompanying drawelongated frame of requisite dimensions and which is provided r earwardly of its longitudinal center with a transve y po ed axle or sh t. 1 r9- members 2 of the frame F has fixed theretowardly converging arms 20, the free end ing inwardly and forwardly with the inner end portion of one of the blades B extending slightly behind the second blade 13.

In practice, the machine travels along a row of young cotton plants and normally' the blades B are at their innermost positions, as illustrated in Figure 5. lVhen so arranged, the blades B operate to cutout cotton plants and also grass, weeds and the like, the angular relation of the blades causing such plants and the like to slide to the sides of the row. At predetermined intervals, however, the cam portions 14 of the grooves 11 in the drums 10 will impart lat eral swinging movement to the blades B in a direction transversely of the row and to an extent outwardly to cause the blades 13 to separate a distance sufficient to avoid cer tain of the cotton plants before said blades return to their innermost or normal positions. By this means, stand of cotton plants are provided at requisite intervals along the row and thus effecting a desired cutting out or chopping with convenience and facility.

Pivotally connected, as at 22, with the side members 2 at the forward portions thereof are the side members 23 of a gauge member G, said member being herein disclosed as substantially in the form of an inverted U. These side members 23 extend above and below the frame F and rotatably supported by the lower end portion of each of the side members 23 of the member G is aground engaging wheel 24l-. The intermediate member 25 of the gauge member G has pivotally connected, as at 26, with the central portion thereof an extremity of a link 27. This link 27 extends forwardly of the frame F and its outer end portion is provided along its lower margin with a toothed rack 28 adapted to be adjustably engaged with the marginal portion of a plate 29 defining an opening 30 therein through which the link 27 is extended. The plate 29 extends upwardly from the forward end member 31 of the frame F and the link 27 is constantly urged downward to maintain requisite locking engagement with the plate by a spring 32 carried by the upper portion of the plate 29 and pressing down on the link 27 from above.

The rear end member 33 of the frame F closely adjacent to the ends thereof is provided with the upstanding posts 3st the upper extremities of which being connected by arod 35 providing a hand grasp or handle adapted to be engaged by the operator to facilitate the requisite travel of the ma chine as the operator walks therebehind.

To further facilitate the travel of the ma chine, the shaft or axle 1 has freely engaged with the extremities thereof and inwardly of the wheels 3 the rearwardly diswinging adjustment of the gauge member 7 {a the extent of penetration of the blades B may be regulated or controlled as desired or said blades may be maintained at a sufiicicnt distance above the ground surface when it is desired to render the blades inoperative, such as when transporting the device from one locality to another.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a cotton chopper constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be abvoius that my invention is susceptible of some change and modlication without materially departing from V the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason Ido not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

1 claim 2- 1. A. cotton chopper comprising, in combination, a portable frame, scraper blades supported by the frame for swinging movement in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the frame, and means operating to intermittently impart swinging movement to the blades, said means, when the frame is in transit maintaining the blades in working position with one of the blades partially extending behind the other for a longer period of time than when tie blades are in separated relation.

2. A cotton choppr comprising, in combination, a portable frame, scraper blades supported by the frame for swinging movement in a direction transverseto the direction of travel of the frame, and means operating to intermittently impart swinging movement to the blades, said means normally maintaining the blades in working position with one of the blades partially extending behind the other, said blades being disposed on converging inclines.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

JOSEPH CALLAWAY. 

